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Travel Theme: Guilin’s Scenic Peaks

Alisa’s Travel Theme this week is ‘Peaks’. An old Chinese saying states that “Guilin’s mountain and water scenery is the best under Heaven.” I’m sure this is correct, as the most picturesque and amazing peaks I have seen, are those along the Li River from Guilin to Yangshuo.

A leisurely cruise along the Li River will afford you a wonderful view of Guilin’s famous natural karst formations.

In the early morning light, these mountains which rise straight up from an otherwise flat landscape, looked quite ghostly.

The limestone karsts looming large, make for a dramatic backdrop to the charming scenes of village houses which stand right along the water’s edge.

Guilin is situated on what was once an ancient ocean floor, and the limestone peaks are made up of shells and also the skeletons of long extinct marine animals which lived millions of years ago. This is their final resting place, beneath the greenery of the towering peaks.

As you can see, they are all shapes and sizes, and the scenic views look just like an artist’s masterpiece.

It’s a most beautiful and fascinating landscape, and as you may imagine, there are many myths and legends woven around these iconic peaks.

If you want to learn more about the history of how these peaks came into being, just click this link.

To join in the challenge and to see more entries for Ailsa’s Travel Theme, click the badge below.

Oh how amazing Sylvia, I don’t think I’ve ever seen anything like it, how beautiful. And your right, when we go to our mnt. Range. (Where the olympics were held some years ago) Adirondacks. We often say we have found a slice of heaven. Not her like bodies of water and Mnts, to feel at peace. I loved your photos. Have a great rest of the week Sylvia

They not only look like an artist’s masterpiece, they are an artist’s masterpiece, yours, girl!! They are wonderful. But are they limestone, or are they just piles of shells from the past? I have wanted to visit them since forever, never quite got there. Your post is pushing toward that direction, though. So, maybe soon, eh…

Thanks, Gerrie. Yes, the flights were quite arduous; 21 hours from South Africa to Vancouver for the birth of our grandson, then to Hong Kong, on to China and then 15 hours from Beijing to Johannesburg. It was quite a trip. 🙂

Oh, yes! I remember that when we reached Vancouver it was morning and all we wanted to do was sleep, but our little granddaughter insisted I play tea-parties with her and our daughter then decided we should all go out shopping and for a tour of the area. 😅